Novel: Fourth Year First Term Sixth Lecture

The Sixth Lecture

Dr. Heba Makram

Novel

Tuesday. 11/11/2008

So far, we have seen vey different stages in Olivers life. Most of the
characters who deal with Oliver are characterized by abuse and injustice.

The last chapters witness a high sense of suspense though

two points: The first sense of suspense is related to Olivers
identity. This appears when Old Sally tells Coney about the
necklace she has taken from Olivers mother. The other
sense of suspense is related to his own life and fate. He is
shoot during the burglary. Sikes and the other thief carry
Oliver for a while. Then, they leave him in a ditch.
Chapter 26:

In this chapter, we see another part of the underworld.

The most important character here is Monks. This chapter is
full of mysterious atmosphere. Dickens tries to convey how
thieves live.
Page 156 ----> The old man had gained . ---->
Charles Dickens uses some words to indicate thieves fear of
normal life; such as Avoiding, as much as possible, all the
main streets; and skulking only though the by-ways and
alleys. This reminds us of the time when Sikes and Fagin
meet; they usually meet in darkness. Also, Oliver enters
London after his escape during the night, not before the
nightfall.
The second paragraph introduces the dirty life they live
in.
There is another element Charles Dickens uses to
introduce suspense which is choppy sentence.
Page 157 ---> The three Cripples . -----> This is a
description of the place which is very vivid. The word
Cripples means they cannot walk properly. Again, it is very
ironical.
Mr. Fagin does not use certain names.
Page 158 ----> The Jew shook . ----> Their
conversation creates an element of suspense. They speak in
a mysterious way. This is the first time we hear the name of
Monks. Fagin is very cautious when he speaks about him.

This chapter shows Nancys good nature. She sits

besides Fagin. She wishes Olivers death because it will be
better for him than living among them.
Page 160 ----> And the boy . ----> This shows the
criminal aspect of Fagin. If Oliver is caught, he may speak
about them. Fagin hates Sikes. He told Nancy indirectly that
he even wishes him to be hanged. The paragraph is very
clear; he encourages her to get rid of Sikes. He makes a slip
of the tongue. He shows the importance of Oliver for him. He
says that Oliver worth hundreds of pounds. He cares for
the money he can get through Oliver. The sense of suspense
is heightened.
Page 162 ----> He had reached . ----> Mr. Monks
anticipated that he is related to Olivers real identity Most of
the conversation shows that the two characters are
interested in Oliver. Here, Mr Monks has more power than
Fagin. Both Mr Fagin and Mr Monks want to change the good
nature and good character of Oliver. They want to make him
a thief or to get him involved in any criminal activity. By this
way, he will be arrested or hanged. They do not want to
commit a direct crime by killing him. This conversation
creates a sense of suspense because we do not know why
they want to get rid of Oliver.
Page 163 ----> I saw it was not easy . ----> This
shows how goodness can survive.
The last words in the chapter amiable couple is all
irony because they are not nice at all.
Chapter 27:

In this chapter, Charles Dickens returns to the

workhouse again. Mr Bumble makes a good use of Mrs
Corneys absence to account her possessions. Mr Bumble is
a
materialistic
character.
When
he
notices
the
announcement of Mr Brownlow, he runs to him. Yet, he
regrets not saying something good about Oliver when he
know that Mr Brownlow cares for Olive. Mrs Corney and Mr
Brownlow represents a loveless marriage. It is doomed to fail
because marriage should be based on mutual respect. When
Mrs Corney humiliates Mr Bumble, he will realizes his
mistakes.

Page 166 ----> Mr Bumble had recounted. ---> This

shows his greed. He is not going to a marriage, but a deal.

The conversation between them when Corney comes shows

they do not trust each other. They are like Fagin and Sikes.
They are the reason which pushes children to people like
Fagin and Sikes.

Mrs Corney and Mr Bumble pretend to love each other.

This is an example of hypocrisy. Another example of the
hypocritical attitude is when Mr Bumble says that overfeeding is not good for paupers souls whereas he himself
eats and drink too much. It is very ironical. He does not
practice what he preaches. The shocking matter is that they
are not young people.

The last paragraph shed light on hypocrisy. Concerning

the choice of words, thee are words like parochial district,
lofty and gloomy air. It shows the authorial voice. He wants
to raise peoples suspense because this novel was published
in series.
Chapter 28:

Toby suggests they leave Oliver behind them after the

robbery. They care only about themselves which shows selfpreservation. Another example, when Oliver is caught after
trying to rob Mr Brownlow, both the Dodger and Bates
manage to disappear. Also, Sikes tells Fagin that if he is
arrested, Fagin will be the next.
Oliver is dying and bleeding, but he makes effort to
stand up and reach the house. This shows the instinct of life
with which we are all born. Oliver tells them, Sikes and Toby,
to leave him to die. Yet, he still cares for his life.
People are very happy when they arrest one of the
thieves although he is very young. This shows the hunting
passion.
Again, we have a sense of dramatic relief because
Oliver is, at least, still alive.
The conversation between Sikes and Toby is very
ironical.
Page 173 ---> Morning drew one place . ----> This is
one of Dickens's parts which gives a gloomy description of
the state of Oliver. The rise of the sun symbolizes hope. A
new life is about to begin as in words like birth, defined,
familiar.
Page 174 ----> Oliver felt such . ----> The reader
sees that Oliver is on the verge of death. This shows the

struggle of life. The servants at Mrs Maylies house are very

happy to catch Oliver while he is very young. They are even
very afraid to open the door at the very beginning. This
shows the hunting instinct.
Chapter 29:

This chapter gives a description of Ms Maylie and

Roses house. They come down stairs to examine Oliver.
This is compared to the time when Oliver comes under
the care of Mr Brownlow and Mrs Bedwin.
Here, the setting reflects the house of Fagin reflects his
character. This novel has different setting each of which
reflects the different characters. First, we have the setting of
the workhouse, in the undertakers among coffins, the road
to London being full of danger, the filthy places of London
and the comfortable house of Brownlow.
Page 181 ---> The doctor seemed . ----> It shows
the dangerous state of Oliver. Also, it reflects the theme of
the coexistence of life and death. We are not sure if he is
going to live.
The name of Rose reflects tenderness. It shows the
same idea that appearance reflects the character.
In Mrs Maylies house, the doctor cannot imagine that
this young boy can be a thief. They decide to take action
after Oliver wakes up and tells his story. Before that, Oliver
wakes up and tell his story. Before that, Oliver does not have
the chance. He is about to tell Mr Brownlow his story, but
this is interrupted by Mr Grimwig. Then, Mr Bumble messes
the whole matter.
Page 184 ----> But even if .. ----> Oliver comes
again to live with the good people. This gives another kind of
dramatic relief. Here, Dickens wants to show how children
suffer because of greed and the effect of wicked
environment. This shows how criminals are made. This
reminds us of Nancy when she tells him I thieved for you
when I was a child half as old as this. Dickens shows that
we should think before judging people. Roses criticizes the
corruption of society. The choice of words is very important
like mothers love, comfort, ill-usage . This paragraph
sums up the life of Oliver and all those orphans.

When Oliver tells them his story, they shed tears. The
creation of Maylie and Roses characters shows they are
good-nature people.
Chapter 31:

We have many examples for the coexistence of life and

death.

In the beginning of this chapter, the officers come to

investigate the robbery of their house. They give them a
description of the robbery. The doctor tries to help Oliver.
They ask him about the boy, but he distracts them. This
chapter has very little events.

They ask very trivial questions. It is irony that Charles

Dickens uses the name Blather for one of the officer which
means foolish talker. He criticizes the corruption of the
members of the police and justice. The police do not come to
the scene until very late. It is irony that the people in charge
do not do their job in a proper way. The doctor decides not to
tell them the story of Oliver. In this house, Oliver finds love
and care. There is also some sort of comfortable feeling
about Oliver. The danger is away from him.

Page 195 ----> With the next morning .. ----> It

shows criticism of the police member. The doctor takes the
gunpowder from the pistols to hide the fact that they shoot
somebody. An example of this is when Nancy goes to the
police office. She finds someone imprisoned for playing the
flute, and another one for not playing the flute. The officer
says that it is a great crime but it is punished by
imprisonment in the merciful eye of the English law. Here,
we know that the criminal must be someone else.
Chapter 32:

This chapter is a dramatic relief. It shows the

comfortable state of Oliver. Dickens makes a balance in the
dramatic rhythm which starts to lessen a little bit. One
danger after another is going away from Oliver. First is his
death, and then being arrested.

This chapter is very descriptive. It gives a description of

the countryside nature which represents beauty. Oliver feels
grateful as appearing in the word ingratitude.

Page 196 -----> Poor fellow .. -----> Rose has a

sense of tenderness and sympathy for Oliver.

Page 202 -----> And when .. -----> Dickens gives a

very vivid and sensory description. He describes flowers, and
the nature is at the peak of its beauty. Most of this chapter
reflects the effect of natures purity on people in contrast to
the city is the suitable place for criminals.
Chapter 23:

In this chapter, we will see Rose in a very bad

condition.
In his return journey, Oliver meets a very long man who
is Monks. The doctor comes and examines Rose. The very
important thing in this chapter is the coincidence that leads
him to meet Monks who exaggerates in this reaction. The
two important points in this chapter is the illness of Rose and
the appearance of Monks.
Charles Dickens gives a vivid description of the
countryside which gives a happy psychological mood.
Page 205 -----> The heavy blow .. ----> It is the
beginning of Roses illness. There is no reason for the illness
of Rose. It has an autobiographical reason which is the death
of Dickenss sister-in-law. It is a serious illness. By the end of
this chapter, Rose starts to recover. That is a noble end as
Heaven will not let her die very young.
Page 207 -----> It was something . ----> This
chapter is the introduction of Monks. The reaction of the
man is very exaggerated. The man even shakes his fists of
anger.
Chapter 37:

Harry comes from his travel to see Rose. He is in love

with her, but Mrs Maylie refuses their marriage because she
will not be accepted among their social circle. When he
knows that Rose becomes very well, he feels very happy.

Page 210 ----> It was almost too much happiness .

----> This paragraph shows how Oliver is very happy of
Roses recovery. Also, Mrs Maylie loves her very much. The
most important thing in this chapter is the appearance of
Harry. His description is a foreshadowing of his good
character. People do not accept social differences. Dickens
message, though this, is that marriage should be based on
emotions and love. Harry and Roses marriage can be

compared to Mr Bumble and Corneys. Their marriage is

hindered by social differences.

Page 215 ----> Oliver rose next.. -----> Oliver wakes

with the appearance of Monks and Fagin. Oliver is no yet
saved totally.

Novel: Fourth Year First Term Seventh Lecture

The Seventh Lecture
Makram
Novel
16/11/2008

Dr. Heba
Sunday.

Chapter 37:

The character which appears in the previous chapter is

Mr Harry.
In this chapter, Mr Bumble marries Mrs Corney. Yet, he is
humiliated. At the end of the chapter, Mr Bumble
tells Monks some information about the death of Old Sally.
Bumble wants to take some money from Monks.
The most important element in this chapter is an image
of Mr Bumble with his wife. The lose of his laced coat and
the cocked hat shows the power of dress and poetic justice.
The other thing is Monks hatred for Oliver. The meeting
between Mr Bumble and Monks is going to be against Oliver.
Page 226 ----> There are some promotions . ---->
This is the most paragraph is the novel which shows the
power of dress. The choice of words shows Mr Bumbles
terrible condition.
Page 226-----> I sold myself . ----> Here, Bumble
repents marrying Mrs Corney. This shows the idea of
marriage and that it must not be based on materialistic
benefits as a loveless marriage. This highlights the theme of
poetic justice. Through all the theme, Dickens criticizes the
kind of marriage based on materialistic interests. The
dialogue shows that roles are reversed; the powers is in the
hands of the woman. This is strange according to the
expectations of the Victorian age. In this chapter, Bumble is
degraded and humiliated at the workhouse. In the end, we
will see how he and Mrs Coney are punished. Bumble is

willing to sell the proof of Olivers identity for the sake of

money. When Mrs Corney humiliated him, Bumble just
withdraws like an important one.
Mrs Corney distrusts Mr Bumble. There is no respect
between them just like between Sikes and Fagin.
The events of this chapter and the previous chapter are
related to an important issue which is the identity of Oliver.
The appearance of Monks shows that there is still danger
around him. Some people want to get rid of Oliver by
involving him in robbery.
In these chapters, we start to know about Olivers
identity, solving his mystery. In this stage, all characters
revolve around Oliver to resolve the mystery.
Chapter 38:
Mr and Mrs Bumble are ready to do anything for the
sake of money. This shows that they deserve each other.
Page 235 ----> It was a dull. ----> The atmosphere
here makes the reader anticipates the events and creates a
proper mood. It reflects the conspiracy against Oliver. The
choice of words is very clear; such as dull, close, overcast
.
This place is where the homeless usually live. This
reminds us of the den of Fagin and its description.
Page 239 ----> Not alone, my dear, .----> Of course,
Mr Bumble does not mean the word dear. Among all those
people, there are two important principles; mutual distrust
and self-preservation.
Page 241 -----> There, replied .. ----> Here, Mrs
Corney gives Monks the thing that reveals Olivers identity.
Chapter 39:
This chapter begins with the terrible condition of Sikes
as he has no money. During this, Nancy takes care of him.
Sikes becomes in a furious deliver the money quickly to him
from Fagin. Fagin is described, from the beginning, as
villainous and more devilish than Sikes. Fagin tries to do
something, but he again fails. He tries to get rid of Sikes by
tempting Nancy against him.
Page 243 ----> The housebreaker -----> Here, the
setting reflects the people inside it. The criminals are
intelligent, but in a devilish way.
It shows the idea of woman abuse. Nancy is abused
from the very beginning. They exploit her, so she lives a

frightening life. Unlike those people, Nancy is loyal. She

looks after Sikes and does not betray him when she has the
chance. Yet, they do not believe her. This shows a
psychological reality of the criminals who are unable to
imagine that some people say the truth.

Page 350 ----> When the girl got .. ----> The

internal conflict within Nancy makes her around characters;
she changes and develops.

Page 247 ----> After a great .. -----> Fagin is willing

to reduce the amount of money whenever he can.

Page 248 -----> Now -----> This shows that Fagin

is cunning and deceitful.

Novel: Fourth Year First Term Eighth Lecture

The Eighth Lecture

Dr. Heba Makram

Novel

Tuesday. 18/11/2008

Chapter 40:

It is a very important chapter because it is the meeting

of the characters who are foils; Nancy and Rose. The
previous chapters shows the power of dress. She is
prevented from seeing Rose because of her dirty dress.
Nancy tells Rose of the intrigues against Oliver. She is the
one who makes all her mistakes up. She is the first one to
make all those people meet again. She helps to solve the
mystery.
Chapter 41:

All the threads meet together for the sake of Oliver.

Rose and Mr Brown meet each other. They help to solve the
mystery of Olivers own identity.

Monks wants to get rid all proof of Olivers identity. He

throws all of them into the river.

In these chapters, all good people meet together to

save Oliver while all bad people plot against him. All stages
are reduced into one.

They decide to bring Monks by force because he is the

one who can solve the mystery. What they do is wrong, but
the legislative system is unjust. There is something wrong

with this system, so people try to take law into their hands
(to take their rights by force).

Here, we are going to the second stage with the

reappearance of Noah and Charlotte. Noah makes Charlotte
steal the money of Mr Sowerberry. This shows the poetic
justice. Noah makes Charlotte carries their luggage. This
shows women abuse like with Nancy.

The first principle among criminals is self-preservation;

they are willing to sell anyone of the gang for the sake of
money.

By coincidence, which works too much in this novel,

Noah and Charlotte meet Fagin in the Three Cripples in
which people of ill-reputation usually meet. Fagin realizes
that Noah can be a thief. He tries to make a good use of him.
Noah gives the money to Fagin as in save which is ironical.
Chapter 43:

In this chapter, we have an example of child abuse with

the trial of the Dodger. This is like the ill-treatment Oliver
receives in the workhouse. Also, he works in the funerals and
sleeps among coffins. Children, like them, are left
abandoned by people. These include Bates, the Dodger and
Nancy. Also, Fagin tries to provide Oliver with all the bad
ideas left. Another example is the Dodger who pays a very
high price for his crimes. So, he loses his childhood.
Criminals life is always in danger.

The language of the criminals reflects their

background, characters and education except with Oliver. He
is unrealistic especially with his determination to remain
innocent.

Page 281 ----> Hold your tongue . -----> It is a very

ironical kind of dialogue. They corrupt the spirit of the child.
The Dodger acts like a grown one. He pronounces the words
improperly because he reads them wrongly.
Chapter 44:

After the first meeting of Nancy and Rose, they decide

to meet again on the London Bridge.

Page 283 ----> Adept as she was .. ----> This refers

to the idea that Nancy is turned to be a criminal against her
will. Abyss is a metaphorical use. It refers to the Hell.

All the characters in the novel are flat even the

hero. Yet thee are some examples which shows some inner
feelings like when Oliver sleeps among coffins.
This is related to the theme of how criminals are
made. It is difficult to change once they become criminals.
Likewise, it is too late for Nancy to escape. Later on, Bates
will have the chance to escape. Yet, Nancys fate is death
upon all. Despite all the evils Fagin does to her, she does not
report the police about him.
Page 283 ----> But, these were . -----> Nancy spans
all her life with those people, so she is attached to them
emotionally. For Sikes sake, she refuses to report about
them even if she will take a refuge. Also, she nurses him
during his illness.
Fagin, as a sly and cunning person, he observes that
Nancy hides something. He tries to encourage Nancy to get
rid of Sikes. Here, he suspects Nancy plots something
against them. So, he hires Noah to trace her.
Page 285 ----> Tell him to . ----> Nancy speaks to
Fagin. This shows his cunning and evil. He turns Bill against
her and pretends as if he does not hurt her. Yet, the one who
brings her into this evil profession is Fagin.
Page 286 ----> He cast back .. -----> The enemy he
speaks of is Sikes.
Chapter 45:

Noah follows Nancy. As a mean character, he is willing

to do this.

There is a woman who fells insecure. She looks around

her. It is a very dark night which reflects the mystery and
danger. This contributes to show the kind of atmosphere and
what is going to happen.

Page 293 -----> I told you before .. -----> Nancy is a

courageous character. She has this feeling that she brings on
her own death. Dickens compares and contrasts her with Mrs
Corney. Mrs Corny is the respected one who is paid by
society to take care of children and to help to solve the
mystery of Olives identity. This is not Nancys job. This
shows the idea of the corruption of authority and hypocrisy.
Mr and Mrs Bumble sell Oliver and cause him harm for the

sake of money. By contrast, this criminal refuses to take a

penny in return for saving Oliver.
The words of Nancy even frighten Mr Brownlow.
Page 294 ----> I am, said the girl earnestly ..
-----> Nancy, unfortunately, is so innocent. She thinks that
Fagin will not turn against her because she does not turn
against him. Yet, she thinks wrongly. She forgets the two
laws of criminals self-preservation and lack of mutual trust.
Page 295 ----> When she had . ----> The description
of Monks is like all other characters as it reflects his own evil.
Rose offers Nancy to take any kind of reward, but she
refuses. This reminds us of her prophetic sentence you will
be the cause of my death.
Home -----> She speaks here of someone whose
body is found in the water. This may be her destiny within
months or years. It is ironical because it is only a matter of a
day or two. Also, she will not receive proper funeral. Rose
cannot do anything for her. The meeting of the two ladies
shows that they are foils of each other. They may face each
other destiny. Rose would be Nancy if she came to live
among Fagin and his gang.
Chapter 47:

Noah goes back too Fagin and tells him everything in

detail. Fagin insinuate Sikes to hurt Nancy. So, he kills her
cruelly. He beats her with a club like the one she has taken
previously from the hands of Fagin. Nancy dies holding the
white handkerchief. This is a symbol of innocence, purity and
goodness. She makes up her sins. When she dies, she is
purified of her past sins.

The poetic justice is a prominent idea in the last

chapter:

1.
2.
3.
4.

justice.

The Bumbles come down from their position.

Charlotte and Noah steal Mr Sowerberry.
The death of Nancy is also a symbol of poetic
There is also the end of both Sikes and Fagin

Chapter 48:

Crimes are only committed during the night. Likewise,

the murder of Nancy is so cruel.

Page 304 ----> He had not moved .. -----> Sikes

feels a great deal of fear.
Chapter 49:

In this chapter, Brownlow kidnaps Monks. He takes

justice in his hands. What Mr Brownlow does is not the right
thing.
Page 314 -----> This is pretty treatment .. -----> We
understand that Mr Brownlow has been the best friend of
Monks father, and he loves her aunt very much until she
dies. Brownlow treats Monks well because of his father and
aunt. Yet, he does not deserve because he tarnishes his
familys history with his actions.
The idea of loveless marriage appears in this chapter
with the marriage of Monks parents. It is a rich marriage
based on money and care.
Page 315 ----> Attend to what . ----> Dickens
criticizes the hierarchical system of the Victorian age. A
marriage like that of Monks parents fails because it is only
based on appearance and hierarchy. Monks grandfather
imposes his father to marry. Love should not be based on
hierarchy or money. It should not be imposed. It should be
based on respect and love. In a way, Monks father pays the
price of this because of this unsuccessful marriage. His
children, whether Oliver or Monks, suffer from this. Monks
mother turns him to a person who cares only of hatred and
revenge.
Now, Bill Sikes is like a scared rat. He is frightened to
be caught by police. Worse than all of this is his feeling of
guilt and his consciousness. This is another example of
poetic justice. His conscious does not make him sleep in
peace as he visualizes Nancys eyes. Even his dog dies with
him.
Oliver is Monks half brother, so he will inherit half of
his fathers property. Yet, Monks does not want him to inherit
anything. That is why Fagin says, in a slip of the tongue, that
Oliver is worth hundreds of pounds.
Here, we know the whole story of Olivers mother. She
escapes from her own house in order not to bring shame to
her family. Before her death, she gives Old Sally a necklace
which she gives to Corney who sells it to Monks. Lastly, he
throws it into the rive.

Another form of poetic justice is that Mr and Mrs

Bumble are arrested and turned to paupers. They taste from
the same cup.
Chapter 52:

This, again, shows poetic justice. Fagin does not die

immediately. He is haunted by his guilt and knows that he is
going to die. So, he deserves what he gets. He tries to be
nice towards Oliver, but this is not true.

Harry leaves his job to marry Rose. This is criticism of

the Victorian society which makes him leave his job in order
to marry the one he loves.

Novel: Fourth Year First Term Eleventh Lecture

The Eleventh Lecture
Novel

Dr. Heba Makram

Tuesday 16/12/2008

Chapter 9:
This chapter is a very important one about Catherine and Heathcliff. Cathy says
something special about Heathcliff. She tells Nelly that "he is more myself than I am."
They are a special kind of soul mates (an English expression). Heathcliff overhears the
part of the conversation in which she humiliates him, but not the whole conversation. He
becomes haunted with the idea of revenge. He runs away. When he comes back, he
never forgets or forgive.
Page 64 ----> "If I were in heaven, Nelly. I should be extremely miserable."---->
This is very strange in the Victorian society which cares so much for religion to the point
of hypocrisy.
Nelly is a reliable narrator. If the novel was told by Heathcliff, he would be
prejudiced. Nelly is more objective. Cathy is not the typical Victorian heroine. She is a
stubborn person. When she accepts Edgar's proposal, she believes she is not right.
Page 65 -----> "This is nothing ....." ----> This explains why her soul feels pain.
This is because he is her own soul.
Love between Catherine and Heathcliff is a totally different love. Both of them are
primitive.
Unfortunately, Heathcliff hears the part about her marriage and that marrying him
degrades her. Yet, he does not hear the rest of the conversation. Heathcliff tells Catherine
it has been wrong to marry Edgar who is a dignified person. Catherine says that of she
marries Edgar, part of her will still be with Heathcliff.
Page 66 ----> "It is not ... My great miseries ...." ----> This is the most important
quotation in the novel. When Heathcliff runs away, the weather changes and turns to be
cloudy. Catherine goes out after him, so she becomes ill. This happens while they are in
the summer as if the weather itself is angry. Catherine remains in this kind of weather,

hoping that Heathcliff will return. She becomes ill, so the Lintons catch fever from her.
They dies one after the other.
Chapter 10:

In this chapter, we hear of Heathcliff's return. Then, everything changes.

Heathcliff comes to the Lintons' house. Edgar thinks of Heathcliff as a runaway servant.
Heathcliff has unknown parentage like Oliver. The idea of social hierarchy we
have in both novels. When Catherine sees Heathcliff, there is a glow in her eyes that
reflect her love for him. This chapter shows that Heathcliff comes back filled again with
the desire of revenge. He comes back to turns their happiness into nightmares.
Catherine somehow exploits Edgar's love of her. She makes fun of him and says
he is weak. Yet, Nelly says that he lover her and is not a weak person. Catherine says
she is angry with God which is a very strong word. Edgar's sister, Isabella, is a typical
Victorian lady. She is a totally different person from Catherine.
Isabella loves Heathcliff. Yet, her brother does not accept that she marries
someone inferior like him. This shows social hierarchy. An important thing in this chapter
is the conversation between Catherine and Isabella.
Page 83 ----> "Banish him from your thoughts, miss .... He's a bird of bad
omen ...." -----> Heathcliff comes to shatter the peace of the family. We don not know how
he makes his money in three years. It is possible that he resorts to illegal ways to get his
fortune.
Heathcliff makes Hindley's state worse by lending money to him. This shows the
irrationality of Isabella's behaviour. This is another point about the theme of marriage.
Here, marriage is built on deception on the part of Isabella. She does not use her mind.
Heathcliff does not deceive her. She helps him to fulfill his revenge. She is her brother's
heir. This doubles his own revenge. Cathy thinks this is funny.
The chapter ends with bad omen "....God had forsaken the stray sheep there to
its own wicked wanderings, and an evil beast growled between it and the fold waiting his
time to spring and destroys."
Chapter 11:

Heathcliff wants to take his revenge on Linton. The main point of this chapter is
that Nelly goes to Wuthering Heights. There, she sees the decent child she has brought
up turns to an ugly aggressive child.
We have some common themes between Oliver Twist and Wuthering Heights:
Child abuse (unrealistically treated in Oliver Twist; realistically treated in Wuthering
Heights) - social hierarchy - the theme of marriage. Wuthering Heights is a more
complicated text. Oliver Twist's character are more caricature.
Nelly is shocked when she sees Hareton has a high position, but he hears curses
all the time and bad words. So, he talks in an indecent way.
Heathcliff is presented more or less as a devil.
Nelly does something wrong when she tells Edgar about the meeting between
Catherine and Heathcliff. Then, Edgar comes and ruins everything.
Page 91 ----> 'I seek no revenge .... only allow me to amuse ...."----> This is
something scary and shocking. Catherine tells Heathcliff that by doing son, taking

revenge, he hurts her not only them. After his quarrel with Edgar, Heathcliff becomes
more determined on revenge.
Page 93 ----> "Your presence is a moral poison ....."----> This is Edgar's
judgment, and it is right. The Devil is related to the snake from the temptation of Adam
and Eve.
Heathcliff and Edgar are responsible for Catherine's death. Neither Heathcliff nor
Edgar appreciate her feelings. She tries to change his mind from marrying Isabella as
away of taking revenge on Edgar. Instead of appreciating her, Edgar asks her how she
gets someone like this person into their house. Heathcliff also says she treats him
inferiorly. Both of Heathcliff and Edgar loves Catherine, but is a different way. She intends
to revenge them by causing her own death. She stops eating for three days and locks
herself up in her room. She becomes seriously ill. Nelly thinks she claims this.
Chapter 12:

The most important thing we have in this chapter is that Catherine's condition is
deteriorated. She is not separated from Heathcliff.
With Dickens, we have a clearly divided characters; either good or bad. In
Wuthering Heights, the characters are very sophisticated. They have love for the sake of
love. Catherine loves Edgar. Yet, with him, she is not herself. She is not this kind of the
refined society lady. Heathcliff was like an exile for her. This is where she belongs; the
moors and the heights. She does not belong to Heaven.
Catherine wishes to be a girl again among moors. There are the real Heathcliff
and Catherine. They do not cope with the superficial Victorian characters.
Catherine really opens the window. She does fear the cold weather. This reminds
us of Heathcliff in the first chapter when he cries for Catherine. Catherine always comes
back to Wuthering Heights as a child. This reminds us of Lockwood's second dream.
When Edgar sees Catherine's condition, he blames Nelly for not telling him. As
Nelly says, Heathcliff's coming to the house brings terrible things to the family.
Chapter 13:

The physician tells Edgar that Heathcliff and Isabella get married. Heathcliff does
not lover her. She is not happy; Heathcliff starts his revenge. Edgar attends Catherine as
a mother attends her own child. Once more, Catherine prophesies that by the coming
year, she dies. The letter written by Isabella takes most of the chapter. She describes
Hareton as a hungry wolf. Everything is Wuthering Heights turns upside down. It
becomes a ghostly place. Hindely's state, in a sense, is an autobiographical element.
Hindley admits to Isabella that he will not spare Heathcliff.
'He is ingenious .... A tiger or a venomous serpent ....." ----> Unfortunately, she
comes to her sense when it is too late. Heathcliff wants to see Catherine. This is the thing
that he is obsessed with.
Chapter 14:

Page 128 ----> "In the evening, she said, ...."---->She waits anything from her
brother to say that he forgives her or anything. Heathcliff would have killed Hareton, but

the only thing preventing him is that Cathy may be sad. Heathcliff says that if Edgar loves
Catherine, he will let her see him only to make her happy. It is a very complicated
character. He says that Catherine is all his life. This reminds us of Catherine's words
about him to Nelly. Heathcliff calls Isabella "a slut". This shows his terrible treatment of
her. From the next day of her marriage, she weeps and wants to go home.
"Don't put faith ..... He's a lying friend, a monster and not a human being ...." ---->
Heathcliff wants to speak to Nelly privately.